Buy or sell? That’s the question many teams will face as the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches.
Ahead of the big day, Yardbarker MLB writers identify each American League team’s most tradable asset. (Records and statistics are through Sunday.) AL East
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (22-36) | RF Ryan O’Hearn | The Orioles have reportedly begun telling other teams they’ll be selling this summer, so hot-hitting O’Hearn could be a trade chip. The free agent-to-be is batting .329 with nine homers and a .952 OPS in 170 at-bats.
BOSTON RED SOX (29-32) | LHP Aroldis Chapman | The Red Sox have disappointed, but a weak AL leaves the door slightly ajar for a playoff chase. Chapman is easily Boston’s top tradable asset if it sells, however. He has a 1.88 ERA in 26 appearances with 32 strikeouts in 24 innings.
NEW YORK YANKEES (36-22) | RHP Cam Schlittler | New York will be buying this summer, but the Yankees aren’t working with the same depth in their farm system as they have had in the past. Schlittler, New York’s No. 10 prospect, has a 2.38 ERA in nine Double-A starts and looked decent in spring training, which could make him an enticing trade piece.
TAMPA BAY RAYS (30-29) | RHP Pete Fairbanks | The Rays are in the mix this season, but that won’t stop them from dealing an impending free agent such as Fairbanks and his 2.05 ERA. Back-end relievers are always in demand at the trade deadline, and few teams can pull off better returns than Tampa Bay.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (31-28) | CF Myles Straw | As long as Toronto stays competitive, a trade of star shortstop Bo Bichette seems unlikely. However, Straw could be an interesting depth piece for another team’s pennant chase given his strong defense in center field and surprising .289 batting average. — Seth Carlson
AL West
ATHLETICS (23-37) | LF/3B Miguel Andujar | Andujar hasn’t replicated his AL Rookie of the Year runner-up season from 2018, but he has wielded an above-average bat (.296 this season) since the start of 2023. His defense, especially at third, may be questionable at best, but he could be an under-the-radar upgrade for a team looking to improve the lineup.
HOUSTON ASTROS (32-27) | Catcher Walker Janek | Regarded by the Astros as the best defensive catcher in the 2024 MLB Draft, Janek has put together a strong start to his second stint in High-A. However, with Yainer Diaz locked in behind the plate through the end of the decade, Janek may be a trade chip as the Astros look to extend their window of contention.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS (26-32) | OF Taylor Ward | Ward has been the subject of trade rumors for a while, to the point where he was expected to be dealt during the offseason. The power-hitting outfielder (16 HRs, .217 BA) is strictly a left fielder now, but he has experience in right and center.
SEATTLE MARINERS (32-26) | RHP Luis Castillo | The Mariners lead the AL West, but GM Jerry Dipoto still could deal established players. Castillo (4-3, 3.03 ERA) had been the subject of trade rumors all offseason and, if the Mariners can add another impact hitter for his services, a trade is possible.
TEXAS RANGERS (29-31) | LHP Patrick Corbin | The Rangers turned Corbin, who had the worst ERA of any pitcher with at least 400 innings over the past four years, into a surprisingly valuable part of the rotation. If Corbin (3-4, 3.71 ERA) can sustain this success, he could be a trade chip. — David Hill
AL Central
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (18-41) | OF Mike Tauchman | A solid fourth outfielder, Tauchman (.372 BA in 43 at-bats) is capable of playing all three spots in the outfield and providing power and speed. As teams look to improve their bench and outfield depth, Tauchman could be in demand.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (32-26) | IF Juan Brito | One of several switch-hitting middle infielders in the Guardians’ system, Brito has a cloudy future in Cleveland because of top prospect Travis Bazzana. However, Brito’s solid all-around hitting ability could make him a valuable trade option.
DETROIT TIGERS (39-21) | C/1B Thayron Liranzo | The Tigers’ fifth-ranked prospect per MLB.com, Liranzo may not have a path to the majors in Detroit. However, his offensive profile and power potential could make him a headlining prospect for a deal.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (31-29) | RHP Michael Lorenzen | Lorenzen was dealt at the trade deadline in 2023 and 2024. Should the Royals continue to falter, the veteran righty (3-6, 4.33 ERA) could be on the move again.
MINNESOTA TWINS (31-27) | RHP Marco Raya | Ranked as the Twins’ sixth-best prospect per MLB.com, Raya has struggled in his first look at Triple-A. His six-pitch arsenal, including a plus slider and an upper-90s fastball, make him a potential of a middle-of-the-rotation starter if he can harness his stuff. — David Hill
